The Pattersons, along with Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District, were honored today at Empire Farm Days. They were presented the award by state Agriculture Commissioner Darrel Aubertine.

The Pattersons milk about 1,000 cows and use 2,700 acres of land to grow corn, alfalfa, grass, hay, wheat and willow biomass. They use reduced soil plowing practices and cover crops to limit the loss of nutrients such as nitrogen and soils entering nearby waterways such as Cayuga Lake.

When items like nitrogen or other soils enter a waterway, they can reduce the amount of oxygen in the water, killing fish and other wildlife and contributing to the growth of algae.

The Pattersons also have used some state and federal money to institute a state-of-the-art manure irrigation system that allows for more efficient application of manure nutrients into the soil. This helps prevent eroding soils from making their way to Cayuga Lake.

The Pattersons also have put in two blind inlets, 200 feet of underground outlets, and 500 feet of drip line around farm buildings that house livestock. These moves help keep clean rain water from gathering nutrients from the soil and manure.

The Patterson family often give tours of their farm to other farmers who want to learn how be more environmentally friendly in their operations.